In a music industry dominated by loud guitar solos and banging drums, straying from the standard formula can be the key ingredient to getting noticed. Chicago-based rockers Down the Line are bringing their own unique brand of pop music to the Union Sports Annex Friday.

"We like to call it acoustic pop," said member Dan Myers of the band's sound. The catchy lyrics and smooth rhythms created by the band come from their distinctive lineup.

Each of the band's four members contribute to vocals, and the instruments used to complete their sound include harmonica, mandolin, violin, acoustic guitar, electric bass and an African hand drum called a djembe.

The djembe "gives the audience the ability to hear the vocals better and it's nice to not have a loud blaring drum set," Myers said. Their choice of instrumentation has earned them recognition from magazines like Performing Songwriter, which called the band "the new wave of college rock."

Myers cites influences of the band as late '70s pop acts like Fleetwood Mac and the Eagles, who also used multiple vocalists and emphasized their acoustic instrumentation. He described Down the Line's music as a modern take on these types of pop music.

Their newest single, "Please Remember My Name," reflects the band's goal of making "smooth concise pop." The song blends each member's vocal talents, and the acoustic guitars make for an accompaniment to the vocals without overpowering them.

Besides being the trademark of their crafty pop music, the arrangement of the band also heavily influences their live show.

"Right off the bat when you walk in, there are four people lined up on the stage," Myers said. "The wall of guys is kind of a unique thing. Nobody is hidden in the background."

This unity of the band members is clear not only through their stage presence but also through the obvious pride the members take in each other.

"I'm proud to be with really great lead singers," Myers said. After spending a year in the studio recording, the band is embarking on a two month tour.

"If you like pop music that's acoustically based, like John Mayer and Jack Johnson, we are in line with them," Myers said. "We are definitely excited to be coming and we're hoping to reconnect with Milwaukee people."

Each member of the band contributes to the writing and arranging of their music. Their two full length albums have sold about 11,000 copies, and their latest effort, Please Remember My Name, was released last month. Besides seeing them supporting Michigan rockers Greenstreet at the Annex on Friday, Down the Line's music is available through its Web site, www.downthelineband.com.

This article was published in The Marquette Tribune on September 22, 2005.